Bryan Harsin is expected to be the subject of an announcement from Auburn officials on Friday, according to a report from ESPN.

“Auburn officials are expected to announce today they are keeping coach Bryan Harsin,” Pete Thamel tweeted.

This would end a week of turmoil as rumors surfaced largely on message boards and local Auburn web sites at the end of last week, and then outgoing President Jay Gogue told the board of trustees that he was trying to separate fact from fiction.

“We’ll keep you posted and make the appropriate decision at the right time,” Gogue said last week.

Harsin has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks following a host of departures from his program, including some 18 players and 5 coaches. An ESPN report noted that Auburn administrators are looking into why those people left, and if there are any trends to emerge.

The defections came after the Tigers lost their final 5 games and finished with a 6-7 record.

On Thursday, Harsin attended the meetings in Birmingham, so his status with the school is unknown. Reporters staked out the building waiting for Harsin to arrive, and after he went in through a side door, he came outside a few hours later, and left without a comment to reporters.